Major Shifts in Healthcare to Come

Have you ever had a brain full of ideas, multiple thoughts of excitement mulling around, but were afraid/scattered/unsure of where to start? Maybe you are so passionate about something, but it’s a touchy subject and you’re not exactly sure everyone will LOVE what you have to offer. That is EXACTLY how I feel right now.

I have multiple ideas/topics that I feel called to write/speak on right now but I feel scared.

I’m scared of rejection. I’m afraid of upsetting someone or pissing people off. I’m worried to lose support. But guess what? The only way to really ‘make it’ as a successful nurse entrepreneur is by being yourself. In fact, the only way to be a successful nurse (human being, really) is by being yourself. Let me point you to an excellent post I read today by a nurse blogger named Nachole Johnson.

Nachole wrote about a day as a nurse-preceptor, a day where she might have scared a nursing student out of nursing with her honesty. I read her article and my first reaction was: “BRAVO!”

Bravo Nachole! There is no reason to hide behind a fake smile, no point in putting on a show to highlight our profession. Why lie? It doesn’t help you. It doesn’t help the nursing student. It doesn’t help the organization. It doesn’t help the patient. It helps no one.

Which brings me to another post I read today by Beth Boynton over on her blog, Confident Voices. Beth’s post talks about a stressful, frustrating experience with a patient that turned even worse when the nurse was not supported by the leadership and organization.

I loved Beth’s post for two reasons: one, it too was authentic. It didn’t sugar-coat the profession. It doesn’t make healthcare ‘look good’. In fact, if I read Beth’s post and was not in healthcare I would be appalled that these things are going on and shocked that this is what happens to healthcare staff.

The other reason I loved Beth’s post was it highlighted distraction. Just the flashing light ‘ALARM’ that was pulsing throughout the entire page was enough to make me have to read and re-read her article.

But this brings me to my own viewpoint, my own beliefs and values. This brings me to the part of my blog post that you may or may not enjoy. This brings me to where I am feeling ‘scared’.

I am presenting my platform here, standing strong in my beliefs. And yes, being me may piss some people off.

To me, the healthcare system doesn’t work. It’s broken. And it sucks. But guess what? The more we focus on what’s ‘wrong’ with healthcare; the more we get that. It is my belief that healthcare is in need of a serious shift. The only way something can shift is from the inside out.

I know I am going to get a lot of slack on this statement, but each individual must shift in order to shift healthcare. Over the next few weeks I am going to write to these points. I am going to present blog post by blog post, offering a new vision of healthcare.

I listened to a very interesting self-help audio yesterday. The speaker said that tribal shifts cannot occur because the individuals in the tribe are stuck in group think. The only way for any changes to happen is through one person at a time. One person shifts, gets out of the negative muck, and then others want the same and follow that role-models lead.

This is my approach to transforming healthcare. I am not going to try to fix any of the problems in the system. Some may think this is stupid, idiotic, and just plain dumb. I don’t care. I am going to ignore the problems and help shifts from the inside out.

One nurse at a time. One technician at a time. One physician at a time. One human being at a time. Whoever is ready and willing to change. Whoever is open and receptive to a new way. Whoever wants their lives, themselves, their own happiness and health to shift- then they can help shift the system.

I’m not focusing on problems. I’m offering solutions. How? Stay tuned each week as I present one way at a time. I will tell you this- I’ve decided to apply energy principles, universal laws, and appreciative attraction to healthcare.

Let’s see how it goes!

Thoughts? Comments? Reactions? I’m ready to hear from you- the good, the bad, and everything in between.

12 Comments

Beth Boynton, RN, MS
on October 19, 2013 at 10:29 am

Hi Elizabeth,
Thank you for your heartfelt post and link to mine and Nachole’s. The conversation is so authentic and the ownership you and Nachole are role-modeling is so powerful, I commend you both!

I am inspired by your words and commitment, “One nurse at a time. One technician at a time. One physician at a time. One human being at a time. Whoever is ready and willing to change. Whoever is open and receptive to a new way. Whoever wants their lives, themselves, their own happiness and health to shift- then they can help shift the system.”

Me too!

For me this means a decision to leave my per diem RN role by the end of the year. More and more it feels like an abusive relationship. This is the way I am choosing to take care of myself and continue my work on healthy workplaces for healthcare professionals and patients via my consulting, writing, and speaking.

I feel a little anxious and realize part of my anxiety is around money and security, but there is also a part of me that must acknowledge a fear of success. This is where my own leap of faith and trust in others and the Universe/God/Higher Self comes in.

I know that I can help both professionals and organizations to be healthier by teaching communication, emotional intelligence, & collaboration through Medical Improv and that my core text on communication for nurses that I am currently writing for F.A. Davis Publishing Co. will contribute to a paradigm shift towards the same ideals. I don’t have to judge the nurses who stay or leaders who look the other way, (although I am tempted 🙂 ), I just have to be healthy as I continue on my path. This is a complicated process of accepting, letting go, and trusting. All sorts of exciting opportunities await!

Thanks for all the work you are doing to help make healthcare safer, kinder, and more rewarding to work in.
With love and respect,
Beth
P.S. I bet you’d like Margaret Wheatley’s book, ” So Far From Home: Lost and Found in Our Brave New World”. Hard to read in places, but ‘Warriors of the Human Spirit’ and ‘creating islands of sanity’ are phrases that might resonate with you, Nachole and your readers! http://www.margaretwheatley.com/sofarfromhome.html

Beth,
Thank you so much for reading and taking the time to share your comments. I do appreciate it, always.

YEAHHH!!! for you and your decision around your relationship with your per diem work. I am coming to that decision as well. I want to leave by next February. I am terrified for the same reasons- money, bills, security. But guess what? Something would happen; it would have to. Something would turn up. I would be supported. There is no way the universe, my family, my self- would let me fail. Hearing your decision is making mine much more solidified, thank you.

With respect to your comments on my post- thank you. I do feel like I am going out on a limb here to say what I feel and think. But that is the only way to work, to come from a space of true self. So yes, I may turn some people off… but I may turn others really, really ON. I cannot help and inspire if I am somewhere in between.

Thanks for the book suggestion, I will have to check it out!

And yes, we don’t have to judge anyone for what they are doing, saying, thinking or working at. They are following their inner self. And if they are not- we can only role-model for them, hoping that our energy will inspire them to shift and follow their true heart’s desires.

It takes courage to be authentic and forthright, and you are modeling that for others by sticking your neck out. You’re a pioneer and a thought leader, and I support you 100% in bringing your vision to the world!

Thank you so much Keith.
Your support is well-received and much appreciated. You too are a thought leader and pioneer and as I said to Beth B over on Facebook- I look to you as a role-model, an inspiration, and a support when the going-gets-tough. Thank you for being you and sharing your true self with us always. I thank you for reading!
Elizabeth

Game Changing can be a frightening prospect. I appreciate the energy Elizabeth, Beth and Keith bring to this process. Cultural Transformation is occurring. Opportunities to shift the paradigm of health care are evident at Duke University, University of Minnesota, University of Arizona and even the Veteran’s Health Administration. There are centers of innovation around the country. This will not be a quick fix as we know, but as we change individually, the systems will follow.
Thank you for your courage and vision.

Peggy,
Thank you for coming by and reading the blog. I do appreciate it! I love your words: “as we change individually, the systems will follow.” Couldn’t agree more. Have a wonderful weekend!
Elizabeth

Great post Elizabeth, so timely for me regarding the importance of being yourself and the fear of rejection. Thank you for your courage and honesty. Change comes from within and I truly believe the way to change the system is one nurse at a time. Changing the culture by nurses helping each other and themselves and learning to nurture ourselves like we nurture our patients. You are doing great and much needed work.

Hi Elizabeth,
I applaud your writing and I too, as a medical professional hurt that our healthcare system is so dysfunctional. I work daily with my patients to be their own healthcare advocates as that is the only way we will be able to fix this broken system is by telling our stories and asking our fellow men and woman to assist us in helping those in need of health services. Small steps like asking retail stores to donate health products to those who can’t afford them is something I plan on starting. Most of my home healthcare patients have severely limited funds for pull up briefs, body wash, long handle sponges, reachers, etc that I often donate them out of my own pocket. The basic necessities of life that give patients a sense of self worth and confidence who are trying to remain in their own homes, is so important. One idea, one person, at a time working for the benefit of our parents, grandparents, loved one who are hanging on to a quality of life principal.

Leslie,
Thank you so much for coming by and sharing your comment with the blog. I am so happy, proud, and glad you are doing the work that you do. Thank you for being you. We can make a change, one person at a time. Have a wonderful day, Elizabeth